Mehdi Mercier: "The Turkmen school of national and wind instrument performance commands deep respect"

"The Turkmen school of playing national and wind instruments commands deep respect — it reflects a strong, carefully preserved tradition and a genuine love for music." This was stated by French musician Mehdi Mercier, who participated in the International “Music of peace” festival in Ashgabat.

"I saw great potential in the Turkmen students [of the Maya Kuliyeva Turkmen National Conservatory]. This is my first visit to Turkmenistan. Unfortunately, there was very little time — most of it was spent preparing for the performance of a piece by Turkmen composer Nury Halmamedov. I had to fully concentrate on rehearsals. But even the little I managed to see amazed me with its beauty: incredibly clean streets, magnificent architecture, a bright and especially pure atmosphere in the city, and of course, the unbelievably kind and open people."